Which Salt is the best?

[GoGo98102]

I was using cheap IO with great results. It was like toss any frags or broken pieces and they will grow into a colony. At one point I switched to Kent and was in love with how crystal clear the mix was, unlike IO that leaves a film on the bucket and a little cloudy. However, someone said Kent wasn’t good because of their anti caking agent. Now I am using RPM for the most part. Might go back to IO once I am out.

Wow, not one person mentioned Kent. Top notch if you ask me.

 

[Deaf clown]

I started with HW marine mix because I was balls deep in BRS videos. Then went to seachems because it was cheaper and which I had the best coloration with idk why then they discontinued their salt and I haven’t tried their newer salt due to the high K. I used AF and that did more harm than good. I tried Fritz because of the hype it was meh.

Now I’m using IO and I’m getting good growth decent coloration for not adding any special additives. I use mh and two sbar actinics for lights. When I read and watch videos of whom I think are pro reefers (Mike Paletta, Sanjay, Jason Fox, etc using plain ol IO I thought to myself I need to use that salt.

 

[James Emory Verified Sponsor]

I just ran out of my current salt mix and was thinking of switch from my current one RC. What do you guys use and which one is best in your a opinion.

I think the best thing to do is send in a water sample of the salt you are using to Triton for an accurate test of elements. Send a sample 24 hours after mixing. That is the only accurate way to make an assessment on the contents of the salt. I used Reef Crystals for a good many years and I switched. Not because I didn't like RC, more physiological than reason. Strong advertising can change a lot of peoples thoughts. When I finish this last pail of Red Sea salt I'm going back to RC. Always worked for me and the price is right. Oh, and I never experienced any of the brown residue people are talking about.

 

[jkopfishman]

I use RC and experience a little brown stuff at the bottom if I let it sit and what appears to b little white sand crystals. Switched to red sea coral pro and went back to the RC cuz my corals told me to. I put in a little RO water and mix up the residue at the bottom and dump it in my tank. Could b beneficial elements for all I know. But my corals sure like the results of RC.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im 20 years or more on Instant ocean, the last three with reef crystals.
I do know being a former pet store owner, nothing but great results from customers who used both Red Sea Pro and Kent.
My LFS uses coralife and has great tanks, and my 93 cube is an aquaforest system with thus far great growth and color.

The question still remains.....which IS the BEST ??

 

[Deezill]

I use RC and experience a little brown stuff at the bottom if I let it sit and what appears to b little white sand crystals. Switched to red sea coral pro and went back to the RC cuz my corals told me to. I put in a little RO water and mix up the residue at the bottom and dump it in my tank. Could b beneficial elements for all I know. But my corals sure like the results of RC.

hahaha my coral told me to. I love that. I read this post because I am at the end of my Bucket for Red Sea Coral Pro. I was thinking of going with RC because its cheaper. I like to purchase salt in bulk like 175 - 200 gallon bucket. I think all salts will get your tank to 1.025 the next thing to look at is what are your needs such as water parameters. What is your desired goal for Calcium+Mag+Alk. Last but certainly not least is your pocket. Which salt can give you what you need and not break the bank every time you purchase it. I love Red Sea coral Pro but RC is cheaper for a 200 gallon mix. As I sit and think about I have LPS mainly Euphyllia and one Leather Mushroom. THis means I don't need elevated Calcium or Mag and as long as my Alk is 8.5 or 9 I am happy and so are the tenants that reside in the Deezill 150. I am leaning more toward RC at this point. Maybe if I get into SPS i will go back to Red Sea Coral Pro but for now I think I will grab a 200 gallon mix of RC. I will let you know how the box of RC works out.

 

[Danny Goncalves]

Tropic Marin Bioactive is the best, i ve tryed Red Sea Pro, Aquaforest, DD and TM B is the most beneficial one, yes its expensive.

 

[uglyman]

Always used red sea coral pro. No issues with it in over 3 years. I would like to try an Aussie made product , being an Australian. I like to support the locals if I can. Is there an Australian salt?

There is an Aussie made salt it's Ultimate Aquacare.
http://ultimateaquacare.com.au/category/products/salt/

 

[madweazl]

Tropic Marin Bioactive is the best, i ve tryed Red Sea Pro, Aquaforest, DD and TM B is the most beneficial one, yes its expensive.

Define most beneficial.

 

[flowflezy]

ESV

 

[David S]

Everyone's situation is different but I'll give you a comparison of my current salt (Tropic Marin Pro) which I've been using for more than 6 months versus Instant Ocean which I've used for several years prior.
First, I will say that both will give you good results in your reef. However...
The primary advantage IO has over TM is it costs considerably less.
The primary advantage TM has (at least for me) is very little additional dosing, hence greater stability.
I run Kalk overnight and in the morning, I would supplement with ESV 2 part. Invariably, I would have imbalances in my Alkalinity/Calcium ratios, when using IO. I would then do additional dosing with one or the other, either using ESV or a Seachem product to try to get them in balance.
Since switching to TM, the majority of the time I don't even have to dose 2 part, and when I do it's a simple 1:1 dosing.
Ultimately it's less maintenance and more stability, at a cost which I consider well worth the investment.

 

[madweazl]

Everyone's situation is different but I'll give you a comparison of my current salt (Tropic Marin Pro) which I've been using for more than 6 months versus Instant Ocean which I've used for several years prior.
First, I will say that both will give you good results in your reef. However...
The primary advantage IO has over TM is it costs considerably less.
The primary advantage TM has (at least for me) is very little additional dosing, hence greater stability.
I run Kalk overnight and in the morning, I would supplement with ESV 2 part. Invariably, I would have imbalances in my Alkalinity/Calcium ratios, when using IO. I would then do additional dosing with one or the other, either using ESV or a Seachem product to try to get them in balance.
Since switching to TM, the majority of the time I don't even have to dose 2 part, and when I do it's a simple 1:1 dosing.
Ultimately it's less maintenance and more stability, at a cost which I consider well worth the investment.

Instant Ocean didnt cause any imbalance in your dosing rates, that is directly related to the product you were using to dose.

 

[johntdaballa]

g

Not to derail but does anyone have a salt they are using right now that you think doesn’t dissolve well? I only ask because I have read complaints on this issue with reef crystals but I am not seeing that in the batch I have. I’m fully dissolved and water clear in about 10-15 mins. I do stir it with a big spoon for 5 mins and I am also only making 4 gallons.

I'm way late to this thread but how do you get clear water so quickily. I mix a batch from 5gallons to a brute and never get clear. take a few hours for me even with powerheads running. Currently switching from Reef crystals to Either Tropic marin or new Fritz pro. Did Fritz correct the Alk issue with the previous batch?

 

[johntdaballa]

Wow, not one person mentioned Kent. Top notch if you ask me.

I actually have a box of it but never have I heard anyone using it . Ended up donating it .

 

[Greybeard]

Mac or PC
9mm or .45acp
IPhone or Android
Coke or Pepsi

There is no 'best'. Mostly, they all work, and which one would be best FOR YOU, depends greatly on your circumstances.

I use Fritz RPM. Why? Mixes up close to my target parameters, doesn't leave brown sludge in my mixing barrel, and my LFS carries it for a reasonable price.

 

[steallife904]

i used Kent for years but started getting harder to find and no real reason other than I wanted to try something else so I recently switched to Brightwell neomarine reef salt. It has some pretty good reviews. So far so good with me but just started it.

 

[johntdaballa]

Lets see some results (PICTURES) of some tanks using there selected salts

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

Lets see some results (PICTURES) of some tanks using there selected salts

While this might be helpful in a way, much more goes into the success of a tank than just the salt mix. Check out Jason Fox's tanks in a Reef Builder's video. He uses exclusively Instant Ocean. Not Reef Crystals, plain old Instant Ocean. Many other SPS-only tanks have thrived over the years using Instant Ocean. IO is certainly the cheapest in the US, and Jason Fox produces some of the most sought after aquacultured corals in the world. Should we take this to mean that Instant Ocean is the best salt?

I personally use Instant Ocean, but I don't believe that other reefers having success with a salt means it's the best. It just means the salt will work in a reef tank. These days, I think every sea salt out there that will produce good results if you keep up on your husbandry and water chemistry. Which one is "right" for you depends on other factors like price, availability, initial chemistry, etc. But, I certainly don't think there's a "best" salt, and they all will work.

 

[Deezill]

I am checking out this Jason Fox video thanks for sharing @chipmunkofdoom2

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I am checking out this Jason Fox video thanks for sharing @chipmunkofdoom2

No problem :) it's a good video. He talks about his salt mix around 19:20.